Tufts Blogs

After navigating the competitive process of securing a finance internship for my junior summer, all the way back during my sophomore year, I found myself wanting to get more involved on campus at Tufts. That desire led me to an annual end-of-year food event hosted by the African Student Organization (ASO) called Fena Fena, held on the Tisch rooftop last spring. There, I had the chance to meet and connect with current ASO members, build genuine rapport, and eventually decide to apply for a leadership role. I went on to be offered the position of Treasurer for this school year, an offer I ecstatically accepted.

Being a Treasurer of a college club is a very different experience from anything in high school. It's not just a title for the sake of having one, you are part of a team, and you function as part of the nucleus that keeps everything running. As Treasurer, I'm responsible for managing the club's transactions and budget, and working closely with the Tufts Financial Office and Treasury to ensure ASO gets what it needs for every event. That means everything from signing credit card authorization forms for food purchases and Amazon Prime orders, to completing general reimbursement forms so members can be paid back after buying supplies for club events.

The role has also opened doors for me beyond campus. Last month, I had the opportunity to attend Harvard's Africa Business Conference, a conference with a 28-year legacy that this year explored whether transcending national and international borders is a realistic and essential strategy for driving economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development across Africa. The conference featured discussions with leading African experts across more than 25 industries, as well as Lunch and Learns with industry leaders, keynote addresses, networking events, and the reveal of finalists from the New Venture Case (NVC) competition.

One session that stood out to me was "Building and Financing a Bankable Renewable Energy Business in Africa." It introduced me to the concept of "bankability" in an African context, and opened my eyes to how universal energy access across the continent is not just an aspiration, but an achievable reality.

I also attended two breakout panels and fireside chats: "Owning Our Music: Building the Business Behind the Culture" and "Marketing, Management, and Representation in African Sports." Both were genuinely transformative. The music session featured artist managers and other industry insiders who shared their experiences and gave rich context on the rise of Afrobeats and Amapiano, how these genres grew and what they mean culturally and commercially. The sports panel featured two high-achieving athletes and the head of NBA Africa, who spoke compellingly about the sports where Africans are not only participating, but leading and owning the conversation.

One unexpected highlight of the sports panel was meeting Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns, who was in attendance as a non-panelist guest. I put my networking skills to work, had a real conversation with him about life and football, and he even gave me his card. Watching the NVC competition cap off the day was equally motivating, the finalists presented focused, innovative ideas tailored to specific challenges facing their regions in Africa.

All in all, my role as ASO Treasurer has been far more than a line on a résumé. It has connected me to a community, sharpened real professional skills, and created opportunities I genuinely didn't expect, like a conference at Harvard that reminded me just how much is happening across the African continent, and how much I want to be a part of it.

Apart from the skills and knowledge gained, what has struck me most is how much becomes possible when you are part of the right organization. ASO has not only given me a sense of community at Tufts, but has actively opened doors I never anticipated, from managing real financial responsibilities to representing our community at one of the most prestigious African business conferences in the country. I will truly remember my experience at Harvard's Africa Business Conference, and I am already looking forward to finding a way to go again next year.